Gallery
Description
Property Name: At-Turaif District in ad-Der’eyah.
Inventory No: 966-1-9
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2010-03-01
Country (State party): Saudi Arabia
Province: Riyadh
Town: Ad Der’eyah
Geographic coordinates: 24° 43′ 60″ N
46° 34′ 32″ E
Historic Period: 15th century, 1st half
Year of Construction: 1442
Style: Najdi
Original Use: Residential
Current Use: Touristic
Architect: Unknown
Significance
AD-DIR’IYAH is one of the Oasis of WADI HANIFA located at the curvature known by the name of the tribe that the Royal Family of AL SAUD relate to, numerous oasis developed distinguished with urban settlements since the oldest of times. Rich scenic natural features distinguish AD-DIR’IYAH. Gullies, Gorges, and Fertile Pastures, as such all scenic monuments generated from the environmental culture that ties the human civil experiences in settlement, building, and urbanization. Where the dwellings are set on its banks, branching in between its curves are irrigation systems, natural channels and tunnels that feed the agricultural villages enriching the geographical surroundings of AD-DIR’IYAH with purity and clearness. AD-DIR’IYAH is a name given to the area in respect to IBN DERA the governor of YAMAMAH, or to AD-DIR’IYAH the village, where AL SAUD came from in the eastern of Arabian peninsula, they settled at the area between GHASEEBAH and MULAIBEED , Moreover, the arrival of their predecessor MANEA AL MURIDI at 1446 A.D (850 Hijri) , is considered as the date of establishing AD-DIR’IYAH. AD-DIR’IYAH soon took the pole position on the pilgrimage route to MAKKAH ALMUKARAMAH. For this, it empowered a number of villages in WADI HANIFA. With the rise of the Islamic Revival Movement in its area, after its ruler IMAM MOHAMMAD BIN SAUD the founder of the First Saudi State [from 1788 A.D (1157 Hijri) to 1818 A.D (1233 Hijri)], adopted the call of SHAIKH MOHAMMAD BIN ABDULWAHAB, A new page in the history of AD-DIR’IYAH started, radiating the message of reform, and accomplishing numerous achievements. AD-DIR’IYAH Political and Military stature grew, and saw growth in learning and becoming a beacon for scholars and edification attracting merchants to its markets and an increase in economic and trade. The IMAMS of the first Saudi State famed for their knowledge, fairness, determination, submission to religious values, and their firm grip on the spirit of Islamic belief, customs, and virtuous traditions. In securing peace, the dwellers lived secure, knowing their lives, positions are safe, great portions of Arabian Peninsula came under the power of AD-DIR’IYAH. AD-DIR’IYAH continued to be the most prominent city in WADI HANIFA during the 17th and 18th centuries (12th and 13th Hijri), and its radiating of knowledge never stop even by the Ottoman Army who tried to destroyed it in 1818 A.D (1233 Hijri).The Government bestows direct care to Historic AD-DIR’IYAH. This care was crowned with issuing a Royal Decree (M/528) Dated on (17/6/1429 Hijri) Accepting that ARRIYADH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ADA) undertakes the task of developing AD-DIR’IYAH through a Higher Committee headed by His Royal Highness Prince SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD, and with the membership of a number of officials from designated authorities. AD-DIR’IYAH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM includes villages and districts located on the eastern bank of WADI HANIFA, including GHASSIBAH, AZZUHRAH, AZZUWAIHRA, ALBIJAIRI, and ALMULAIBEED, In addition to the districts located on the west bank, such as AT-TURAIF district and the connecting gorges and gullies of WADI HANIFAH, Executing work is a nonstop cooperation between ARRIYADH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE SAUDI COMMISSION FOR TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES, and AD-DIR’IYAH Governorate and Municipality. The care by the Saudi Government continues to Historic AD-DIR’IYAH when a Royal Decree (MB/5455) dated (19/7/1427 Hijri) that commissions SCTA (Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities) with the task of registering AT-TURIAF district in AD-DIR’IYAH within the list of the World Heritage Sites of the UNESCO. On October 16, 2006 (24/9/1427 Hijri) SCTA Presented the site of AT-URIAF district within its initial list for Sites to UNESCO’S WHS. SCTA submitted the nomination file prepared according the requirements of the WHC, and expects the Committee to discuss the nomination file in the meeting of WHC at 2010.
Ad Diriyah is a city in which history made the glories of the fathers and grandfathers, as it witnessed the largest religious reform movement in the Islamic world. In the year 1158 AH corresponding to 1745 CE, the agreement on the Charter of Diriyah was between the Emir of Diriyah, Imam Muhammad bin Saud and Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, as the two imams agreed to call for a correction People’s creed of polytheism, heresy and superstitions that were attached to it by returning to what the Messenger, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, his companions and the righteous predecessors, and fulfilling the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil and jihad for the sake of that with the tongue and teeth, and with this great agreement, history opened its arms to the shield, to enter history from The widest of its doors.
Selection Criteria
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
v. to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The site offers a whole range of typologies and preservation conditions, ranging from razed ruins to free standing walls, from original to reconstructed palaces from traditional dwellings to modern mud houses, with an extraordinary unity in the colour, shape and building materials. Its integrity is guaranteed as the whole neighborhood is included within the Nominated Property, and because its immediate desert and oasis environment has been preserved from the urban development that took place further afar in modern ad-Dir’iyah.
The city’s multiple layers are entirely preserved including the 20th century housing neighbourhood built with traditional techniques. Its transformation into a Living Heritage Museum aims at preserving not only the material remains, but also, as much as possible, the symbolic and traditional role of the buildings and of the entire village. The reuse project carefully maintains and consolidates the ruins of the main palaces and revitalizes the site re-introducing it as a qualifying experience in the life of modern Saudi citizens. New additions, limited only to the areas where they are essential for the stability and modifications are done with compatible materials and techniques respectful of the original.
The Nominated Property is entirely owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is fully protected from external threats and continuously guarded. The Buffer Zone has been drawn with the goal to protect the site from urban encroachments, to preserve the agricultural use of the wadi area, and to protect the views from and towards the site. It includes vast palm dates plantations, traditional neighborhoods, new developments and preserved desert areas; and it permits to control the evolution of the nearby agricultural and urban settlements.
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